Process for softening hides, skins, or the like.



He vApplication filed August 53?, 3.915. Trio. eaters.

To aZZ whom it may conceive:

Be it known. that I, OTTO a subject of the King. of "Wurttemberg, re at Darmstadt, in the Grand Duchy of Hesse, have invented a new and useful Process for Softening Hides, Skins, or the like, of which the following is a specification.

In makingfurs it is necessary to soften the raw hides and skins, which have mostly been previously air-dried. This is done, partly by allowing the hides to putrify for a few days, and partly by soaking them in a solution of soda and soap in Water. By this means the superficially adhering dirt is removed, the flesh and fat adhering to the flesh side is loosened, which must be removed before the tanning process is carried out, and the fiber of the hide is Well softened, so that it can take up the tanning material and produce a soft leather.

I have found that this softening and cleaning of the hides and skins will be carried out much better and more quickly than with the old process if the hides are placed in a solution of the enzyms (ferments) of the pancreatic gland of animals. The softening process is then mostly concluded in one day, even in the case of hard dried hides, which often require 4-8 days soaking. A further advanta e consists in the fact that the fat is easily oosened and the absorption of the tanningmaterial is accordingly facilitated. Moreover the flesh becomes quite tender, and it can then be easily scraped off with a knife. An economy of time is thus efiected and there is no danger of holes being cut in the hides as when they have to be strongly treated with the knife in order to remove the flesh. Care must be taken to interrupt the process in good time, because, if carried out too long and too strongly, the hairs are loosened. I have also found that the injury done to the hairs and wool is as the reaction of the avci ded pancreatl' proper a n can be obta Ways, and enzyms, which dissolve fat and albumen, of other sources canbe used. The process can, of course, also be employed with great advantage for softening hides and skins which .0 be made up into furs, but are to be used as common leather.

more neutral. All injury W hat I claim and desire to secure by Let 3. The process for softening hides, skins, I and the like, which consists in treating the same in a solution of Water and enzyms of the pancreatic gland of animals dissolving fat and albumen, said solution consisting of water containing 0.05% pancreatin and 1% of soda ash.

In testimony whereof, Ihave signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OTTQ RiIiHM.

Witnesses Huoo Knee, Elms-1 

